Advice for getting started in track racing

"scotchquach" (kquach6)
04/29/2014 at 22:48 • Filed to: oppo

So I'm getting ready to graduate and making a real income to support my car hobbies. How would you guys recommend getting my foot in the door in terms of getting out and being able to race around a track? I'm talking about pretty simple stuff like track days and such, nothing too serious, at least for now. My local track here would be Road Atlanta. I think Atlanta Motorsports Park is close too but I've never been there. I know there are things like Skip Barber Racing school and such, is that a good way to start? I'd appreciate the advice!

DISCUSSION (12)

Danny Gross > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 22:53

Start with autocross! Lowest cost to enter of all motorsport and just so much fun.

signintoburnerlol > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 22:54

You'll need a car that you'll be ready to push off a cliff.

Something cheap and easy to learn how to drive.

So, i wouldn't advise a Miata.

Wait, what? Yes, Miata has a short wheelbase, they don't respond well to user errors. Argue all you want, but you know it's true. Miata is an amazing track car, but not if you're starting off. Even look into FWD, they'll understeer but that'll teach you when to back off. I'm not going to list names, because you'll be biased.

Do a few autocross sessions, once you get comfortable with whatever you're driving. Then hit the track, STOCK. Once you get comfortable driving around the track, start modding to what you think needs to be changed. Treat each run like a learning run, only push as hard as you feel comfortable.

Racescort666 > Danny Gross
04/29/2014 at 22:54

+1 it whets your appetite.

daender > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 22:56

Spec Miata is probably the best balance of affordability and competition. You can build a decent mid-to-front-runner for under 10k$. It's a Miata, if you crash it, no noes, then go find another on Craigslist. I'm in SC and there's a healthy division of Spec Miatas and Improved Touring cars in both SCCA and NASA.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 22:57

AutoX and Skip Barber are definitely a great way to start. Also, go karting. It's a total blast and a good way to see if you have some talent before shelling out for anything else. I did a 3 hour enduro go kart race, and did really well, so at least I know I don't suck at ALL kinds of driving. Maybe it'll translate onto a real track with bigger cars. Finding out is my plan for the next year or two!

Slow4o > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 22:57

Startwith some autox. Then move on to hpde track days with an instructor. I like the suggestion of starting stock, because then you will feel the effect of every mod. If you can, don't drive your daily driver, but I'm a hypocrite and did that for about 3 years.

thedevilinside > daender
04/29/2014 at 23:01

A lot of the time, while maybe not as big a learning experience, buying a built SM car is the way to go.

daender > thedevilinside
04/29/2014 at 23:07

Especially if you know the builder. Ti-Speed's and Panic Motorsports' NB cars are the usual front-runners in the Southeastern races I've been to. NA's have fallen back considerably minus one or two almost-cheating cars.

CAcoalminer > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 23:14

As many have mentioned, start with autocross to get a feel for your car and how it performs at or near its limits and then take a serious driving course like Skip Barber (they have one at Road Atlanta so maybe that should be your choice), Bob Bondurant, etc. when you're ready to progress to actual track driving. Though be careful, track driving can become addictive. Heck, I'm in my 70s and still do it. Haha

thedevilinside > daender
04/29/2014 at 23:26

I just helped run a SM a couple times, but part of it comes down to the track. There were a few NA's were still even.

Stef Schrader > scotchquach
04/29/2014 at 23:32

Definitely start out by doing a few HPDEs first. You can bring whatever you have, and if it's a group like SCCA/NASA/BMWCCA/PCA/etc. that attaches their trackdays to a larger race weekend, you can oogle the race cars and see what's popular in your region at the same time. Talk to owners. See who's running what—do you want to start off in a smaller class, or jump into something with a lot of competition?

I would be super ultra mega jealous if you did Skippy or the like. One of those types of schools is on my bucket list, heh. Some of the SCCA guys here mentioned doing a competition school (there are smaller and cheaper options—just need to be affiliated with that group you're shooting for a license with, IIRC) as an easy knock-it-out-in-a-weekend way to get a license to jump right into racing.

Still, find out which groups are running trackdays nearby and...go. That's seriously all there is to signing up for an HPDE. Register (they usually ask some about your driving experience to put you in the right group) and then show up. And of course, drive the balls off whatever you brought.

I need to find more places to run the 944 nearby, and, well...944! ZOMG BUY A 944. Haha. But yeah, I need to start doing more trackdays and work up to being comfortable throwing that hot mess into wherever it'd fit in a club race.

But seriously, I think the "already built" option someone else mentioned is the cheapest way to get into a racecar.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > scotchquach
04/30/2014 at 00:46

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/scca-st-louis-…

The above event was last weekend. The SCCA Region near you will probably be doing the same thing in a week or two. I think I remember some of the open wheel guys say they were going that way soon.

Our club racing has some great guys involved. A couple of the veterans have entry level cars that the rent out to beginners for CRE , driving schools, or for the season as long as you return it to them in as good as or better condition. I came this close [—-] to jumping in one to get my license last weekend. The overall cost for the weekend (Fri-Sun) would have been less than a half day at Skip Barber.

The other commentors are giving you great advice. If you've never done performance driving before, try autocross, especially the autocross schools (lots of runs over two days with a certified instructor). If you just want to jump straight into road course PDX/HPDE track days, know that most tracks will consider you a nov7ce for at least the first three events you attend. By the time you get to your fifth or sixth event, be ready to kill a set of tires/brakes for every two days on track. The more time you have at track days the easier it will be to cross over to club racing (all out, wheel to wheel racing).